Gravity-latch



(No Model.)

U. D. MIHILLS.

GRAVITY LATCH.

No. 350,264. Patented Oct; 5,1886.

WITNESSES INVENTOR: MW 46. Q). 77%

ATTORNEYS;

U ITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

URIAH D. MIHILLS, OF FOND DU LAC, XVISCONSIN.

GRAVITY-LATCH.

.PECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 350,264, dated October 5, 1886.

Application filed November 17, 1885. Serial No. 183,092. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, URIAH DIAMOND MIHILLs, of Fond du Lac, in the county of Fond du Lac and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improv zments in Gravity-Latches, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention consists in the peculiar construction, arrangement, and operation of the several. parts to produce a reversible gravitylateh, as hereinafter described and specifically claimed.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 represents a perspective view of my improved gravity-latch, one side of the case being removed to exhibit the interior working mechanism thereof. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section through the line :1' .r of Fig. 1, representing a top view of the latch bolt and key, the key being in position to lock the tumbler. Fig. 3 represents a perspective view of the latch-bolt detached. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a key with an elongated shank adapted to be used in a mortise-lock.

A in the accompanying drawings represents a case, which is composed of two parts divided centrally and connected to inclose the lock mechanism therein by means of screws in the usual manner. To the upper corner of this case A is pivoted at B asingle tumbler, O, nearly filling thecase, which, by its gravity,is to operate a latch-bolt, D,to latch a door. This latch-bolt D is slotted vertically, so as to receive a projection,E, on the lower corner, F, of the tumbler 0, directly beneath the pivot B, so that the tumbler may exert its entire weight to operate the latch-bolt promptly to latch a door, the same as if it were operated bya spring in the usual manner. An ordinary follower, G, with arms H and central opening, I, to receiveaspindle, is provided, by which the tumbler C is to be raised to draw the latch-bolt D back to open the door by turning the knobs secured thereto in the usual manner. In order to receive the follower G,the face of the tumbler O is recessed or depressed, as represented in Fig. 1, so that when the follower is in position to raise the tumbler, the outer face of the follower and surface of the tumbler are in the same plane. By this depressionshoulders K are formed, against which the arms H of the follower operate to raise the tumbler when the spindle in the follower is turned in either direction.

This latch, by its peculiar arrangement and construction, is reversible by simply reversing the latch-bolt D and changing the key to the opposite side of the case, as represented in dotted lines, Fig. 2, the tumbler 0 not being reversed.

In order that the latch-bolt D may be driven forward to a certain fixed position by means of the projection E on the lower end of the tumbler G, a projection, L, extends inwardly from the case A, against which the edge of the tumbler strikes, as shown in Fig. 1; or the lower edge of the tumbler may rest upon the inner surface of the side of the case, if preferred, as represented in Fig. 1, which would effect the same purpose, which construction relieves the follower G from contact with the tumbler in its movement either up or down; The key N of this lock is to be placed within the case A, and is intended not to be removed therefrom when the latch is in use, as represented in Figs. 1 and 2. The bend P in the shank serves the purpose of an ordinary bow, by which the key is to be turned to lock and unlock the tumbler C. It will be observed that the key is located opposite to and in the same plane with the latch-bolt D on the lower side of the case, so that when turned in either direction to lock or unlock the tumblerit will rest upon the inner surface of the side of the case in a horizontal position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, making only a half-turn in either direction, and will be retained in such position by the weight of the bit N and bow P being on one side of the axis.

To provide space so that the key may be turned upward and over to lock and unlock the tumbler, the lower corner of the tumbler is cut away, so as to present the lower edge,

S, against which the key is to bear to lock the tumbler. (Also shown in Fig. 1.) Then the key is turned as in Fig. 1, and the tumbler unlocked, there is sufficient space between the edge S of the tumbler and the back of the key to allow the tumbler to swing on its pivot B clear of the key to open and close a door.

ICC

By this construction and arrangement of the several parts composing this latch it will be understood that it is adapted either for a mon tise or a rim lock, and is reversible without disturbing the tumbler and follower, the latch and key being the only parts required to be reversed.

hen this latch is to be used as a mortiselock, the shank of the key is elongated sutlicient to allow for thethickness of the door, and is made attachable to and detachable from the key N by being screwed thereto, as shown in Fig. 4, or in any other convenient manner. A slot, J, is formed in the tumbler Gin the arc of a circle from the pivot 13, through which the follower G passes, and by which the tuin bler may be raised and lowered without com ing in contact with the follower, as shown in Fig. 1.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters ]?ate11t l. A gravitydatch consisting of a case, A, single tumbler O, latch-bolt D, and key N, the latch-bolt D to slide and the keyN to rest upon the inner face of the lower side of the ease, as and for the purpose herein set forth.

2. In a latch constructed, arranged, and operating substantially as herein described and shown, the incased key N, provided with an attachable and detachable shank, l, as and for the purpose set forth.

URIATI D. Ml'lllIliliS.

\Vit nesses:

l. A. .TonXsoN, 111). L. M A'LoNnY. 

